Device for determining the energy state of an energy storing device of a mobile data carrier

Abstract

A device (8) for determining the energy state of an energy storing device (7) of a data carrier (4) in which a voltage stabilizer (9) is used to derive a stabilized DC voltage for the supply of the data carrier from an unstabilized DC voltage available at the energy storing device. The device (8) has an evaluation circuit that includes an auxiliary capacitor (13), a measurement circuit (15, 16, 21) for measuring the charging times of the auxiliary capacitor, and an evaluation logic (18). A quantity describing the energy state of the energy storing device is provided at the output of the evaluation circuit.

Description

[0001]This is a Continuation of International Application PCT / EP03 / 12637, with an international filing date of Nov. 6, 2003, published under PCT Article 21(2) in German, and the disclosure of which is incorporated into this application by reference.FIELD OF AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to a device for determining the energy state (state of charge) of an energy storing device of a mobile data carrier. Such a device can be used, for example, in connection with contactless identification systems.[0003]Contactless identification systems use contactless transmission techniques, which can be based on electromagnetic transmission or transmission using light, infrared or ultrasound signals. Systems of this type are used, for example, in transportation systems, e.g., to identify persons or goods being moved. The necessary data are transmitted by a transceiver to a data carrier and back again over a contactless data link, e.g., an air interface. This contactless ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]The particular advantages of the invention are that information regarding the energy state of the mobile data carrier may be provided to the user at any time. This makes it possible to determine when the energy state of the energy storing device of the mobile data carrier is insufficient and to correctly and completely repeat a data exchange that was previously incomplete or faulty because of the insufficient energy state. The means therefor can be realized on the mobile data carrier with little additional complexity. A device according to the invention provides rapid and accurate information on the energy state of the energy storing device of the mobile data carrier. A further advantage of the invention is that the received information is almost completely independent of the tolerances of the involved circuit elements.

is that the received information is almost completely independent of the tolerances of the involved circuit elements.

Problems solved by technology

Data transmission using contactless transmission methods can be undesirably influenced, however, by insufficient coupling.

Such insufficient coupling can occur, for example, if a mobile data carrier moves very rapidly through a field or moves along the field boundaries where the energy transfer is low.

This can have drawbacks, for example, if a write process to a read / write memory of a mobile data carrier was started when the coupling between the mobile data carrier and the stationary read / write device was sufficient, but because of a movement of the mobile data carrier relative to the stationary read / write device, the energy storing device of the mobile data carrier cannot be adequately recharged.

As a result, the power required for the write process may not be available in the mobile data carrier, so that the write process cannot be correctly completed.

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